The Portland daily press., 1887-10-12
FREEWILL BAPTISTS.
The Annual Convention at Plymouth
Church.

Last evening at Plymouth Church the an
niversary convention of this denomination
was held, the regular business meeting being
preceded by season Of prayer. led by Rev.
V. III. Stacy, the half hour being fully occu-
pied by remarks, singing and prayer.
AT 7.30 o'clock the business session opened
with the appointment of Rev. A. L. Gerrish
as chairman pro tenn, and Rev. MIR. Lowden
clerk, read the proceedings of the previous
meeting. Committees on nominations and
resolutions were appointed as follows:
On Observation-Disclosures. Page of New York
Mason OF New Hampshire, and Deering Of Maine.
Island, Hayes Of Massachusetts, and Osgood OF
Maine.
A collection was taken at this point, after
which the committee ON nominations report
ed the following list of officers for the en-
suing year:
President-Rev. G. c. Waterman Of New Hamp-
Vice President-Rev. o. e. Baker Of Providence,
II. /.
Secretary and Treasurer-Rey. Thomas spooner
OF New Hampshire.
The hour for the anniversary sermon by
Rev. 0. K. Baker having come, business was
suspended pending the devotional exercises.
Hymn 223 was sung by the congregation,
Come, Thou Almighty King" and Rev.
Mr.. Anthony of Bangor read the first Psalm,
and Rev. Mr.. Hayes of Boston offered
prayer. The text was taken from Christ's
words in Matthew: Thou art Peter" etc,
The preacher remarked that he and his hear
ers We're assembled for church work, and he
would speak some plain words upon that
work. Peter had lust made bold declara-
tion of his faith in Christ as the Redeemer,
and our Lord, pleased with this declara-
tion, took occasion to foretell the
secGrity and future power Of His church.
The speaker referred to the teachings of
tho text. The power and the promise Of the
Church Of Christ 1. This power was to be
shown in the organization of visible and dis
tinct bodies, fitted for earnest aggressive
work. There Is too much tendency with
Christians to work alone outside of church
organizations, and so they lose much OF their
power. 2. The teachings of the church is a
source OF power The great needs of the
soul are met in this teaching, and the great
truths Of the Bible, the very foundations Of
domestic, social and national life are incul-
Gated so as to be moving power In the
world. 3. The life Of the church Is an ele
ment of power. For that life Is apart from,
and above, the world, and presents to men
an Illustration Of the divine teaching Of the
word Of God. 4. The symbolism of the
church is source of power. The divine
founder of the church saw the need Of this
element in the church, in order to meet de-
mand in our nature; and this want Is met in
the simple but most significant ordinances Of
the church. 8. The vital union of the church
with Christ Is the crowning element of its
power. This union has given to the church
an instfumentality that no human or satanic
power is able to withstand. The force Of
Christian truth Is so active that even now
moral evil is waning before its power;
and ere long Christianity will rule the world;
for our Lord shall see the travail Of his soul
and be fully satisfied. The speaker referred
to denominationalism, as something proper
and necessary to the present condition Of the
church; and enjoined upon his brethren to
exhibit in their active devoted lives the true
ideal OF holy, c0nsecrated church.
After some routine business the congrega-
tion sang hymn 81, "Be servants of God,
your Master proclaims," and the convention
adjourned with the benedietiOn.
There was good congregation present,
and the sermon Of the evening was listened
to with close attention.